Scientific Method
Systems
Models

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SCIENTIFIC METHOD (key properties)

• observation (instruments, reading)
• testing (controlled & natural)
• hypothesis (explanation, [speculation])
      ex. defn.
"Why?"
• theory
• law
• prediction: comes from hypothesis

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SCIENTIFIC METHOD (characteristics)

• objective (quantitative, measurement)
• open to discussion (publication)
• repeatable (publication)
• testable (falsifiable)

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Hypothesis

• Atm. CO₂ conc. controls plant growth
• Arizona's draught is due to global warming

Theory

• Germ Theory of Disease
• Theory of Relativity

Law

• Sandwiches always land jelly-side down
• Newton's First Law of Motion

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SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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CONTROLLED TESTS (water, CO2)
NATURAL TESTS Tikal was abandoned due to drought 1200 ya [1] [2] [3] [4]

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QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT

• Accuracy: how well a measurment matches the "true" value
• Precision: how closely repeated measurements agree

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Systems and Models

SYSTEM: a set of components that function together in a potentially predictable manner. Types: simple, complex, open & closed systems

input / output

flows, fluxes (arrows)

components, storage (boxes)

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What is a MODEL?

A representation of a system that can be used to simulate the system to generate and test hypotheses about how the system works (many examples).

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